Introducing Craig Silvey our judge for this years’ Street Library of the Year Award. Craig shares his love of reading with us and how he chose the winner.
“Reading is a solitary act that makes us feel less alone. When we are spellbound by a story, we delight in the company of apparitions who feel real. And when the last page is turned, our first instinct is to share the journey with other lovers of literature. Reading is about community and conversation.
So I’m endlessly impressed and inspired by Evan and his Garden Library! In a period of isolation, I love that Evan and his family turned to their love of books and gardening, and saw an opportunity to craft a communal hub that others could delight in and benefit from. The fact that it’s now a permanent public space speaks volumes about how welcoming and joyous and necessary such a space is. Congratulations Evan and family, and the community of Glenwood!” – Craig Silvey
Craig Silvey grew up on an orchard in Dwellingup Western Australia. He now lives in Fremantle, where at the age of 19, he wrote his first novel, Rhubarb, published by Fremantle Press in 2004. In 2005, Rhubarb was chosen as the ‘One Book’ for the Perth International Writers’ Festival and was included in the national Books Alive campaign. Silvey also received a Sydney Morning Herald Best Young Novelist Award. In 2007, Silvey released The World According To Warren, a picture book affectionately starring the guide-dog from Rhubarb. In early 2008, he completed his second novel, Jasper Jones, with the aid of an Australia Council New Work Grant. Outside of literature, Silvey is the singer/songwriter for the band The Nancy Sikes!
